Synopsis Robert Eggers' Nosferatu retells the chilling tale of Count Orlok, a sinister vampire whose malevolent presence haunts the town of Wisborg. Set in 19th-century Germany, the film follows Thomas Hutter, a well-meaning solicitor, and his wife, Ellen, as they become ensnared in Orlok’s dark and deadly web. With themes of love, betrayal, and sacrifice, … Continue reading Film Review: Nosferatu (2024)
Forging Rings, But Missing the Magic The second season of Amazon Prime’s The Rings of Power continues the journey through Middle-earth’s Second Age, following the rise of the Dark Lord Sauron and the forging of the Rings of Power. Based primarily on material from the appendices of The Lord of the Rings, Season 2 picks … Continue reading The Rings of Power Season 2
The Fantasy Epic That Redefined fantasy Game of Thrones, the HBO adaptation of George R.R. Martin's A Song of Ice and Fire series, premiered in 2011 and concluded in 2019. Spanning eight seasons, it brought the complex and often brutal world of Westeros to life. From its unpredictable character arcs to its jaw-dropping spectacle, the … Continue reading Game of Thrones: A Song of Ice and Fire
Stephen King’s Salem’s Lot has long been considered one of the author’s most chilling works, blending the timeless terror of vampires with the suffocating atmosphere of a small American town under siege. As the first proper feature film adaptation of the novel (following two earlier miniseries), Gary Dauberman’s 2024 Salem’s Lot had the potential to … Continue reading Review: Salem’s Lot (2024) – A Butchered Vampire Tale That lacks Bite
Path of Exile Review: A Journey from Casual to ARPG Fanatic As a long-time fan of action RPGs who has spent countless hours in games like The Elder Scrolls and Dark Souls, I was searching for something fresh, a game with a deep, combat-focused loop, drenched in a sword-and-sorcery aesthetic. My search began after playing … Continue reading Path of Exile
Fear of the Dark When I first saw the trailer for Dracula Untold, I wasn’t expecting much. It seemed like another attempt by Universal to rebrand its classic monsters into edgy superheroes, following in the footsteps of DC’s Batman or Marvel’s Hulk. This time, Dracula was getting the origin story treatment, cast as a misunderstood … Continue reading Dracula Untold
The Pot-Noodle of the Wuxia Genre Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings is to real wuxia cinema what a pot noodle is to authentic Chinese cuisine. Just like a pot noodle, it’s flashy, quick to prepare, and loaded with artificial flavor, but ultimately it’s a shallow, watered-down imitation of the real thing. It … Continue reading Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings
"The night and the dream were long…" After the resounding success of Demon’s Souls and Dark Souls, many expected FromSoftware to rest on their laurels, churning out sequels and spinoffs to a formula that was rapidly becoming a genre in itself. The term “Souls-like” was born, as countless imitators adopted the same combat mechanics for … Continue reading BLOODBORNE
"I still live, and while I live I shall fight for Barsoom, and her people; the virtues of her noble sons and the glorious beauty of her daughters. Death, John Carter, must take me while I am facing the enemy with my sword in my hand!" It wasn’t just Edgar Rice Burroughs’ words that first … Continue reading A Princess of Mars
Return to Endor When it comes to ranking the Star Wars films, there’s a common consensus that The Empire Strikes Back often tops the list. Its darker tone, emotional depth, and character development make it a fan favorite. However, for me, Return of the Jedi holds a special place. While Empire offers a more mature … Continue reading Return of the Jedi: Why It’s the Best Star Wars Movie
Get your arse to Mars! Release Year: 2004Platforms: Microsoft Windows, Linux, Mac OS X, XboxDevelopers: id SoftwarePublishers: Activision In 2004, id Software made a bold move by reimagining their iconic Doom series with Doom 3, a game that took a sharp turn from the frantic, fast-paced action of its predecessors and ventured into the realm … Continue reading DOOM 3
Some films begin their journey as box office failures, dismissed by critics and audiences alike, only to rise from the ashes as beloved cult classics. 47 Ronin, the 2013 historical fantasy action film starring Keanu Reeves, is poised to become one of these films. Though it was met with lukewarm reviews and a dismal box … Continue reading 47 RONIN
Released just before the frenzy of Baldur's Gate 3, Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves is Hollywood's latest attempt to ride the wave of the renewed popularity of D&D—a revival sparked by younger generations diving into the tabletop game after watching Stranger Things. Unlike the surprise hit of Baldur's Gate 3 in the gaming world, … Continue reading Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves
Netflix's "One Piece," developed by Matt Owens and Steven Maeda, is a captivating live-action adaptation of the beloved manga series by Eiichiro Oda. Released on August 31, 2023, the series has quickly garnered acclaim for its faithful representation of the source material, stellar performances, and impressive visual effects. As a fan of both the manga … Continue reading ONE PIECE
Empire of the Vampire," the 2021 illustrated horror-fantasy novel by Australian author Jay Kristoff, thrusts readers into a world forever shrouded in darkness, where vampires have conquered humanity and reign supreme. This sprawling narrative, which weaves elements of horror and fantasy, has captured the imaginations of readers worldwide, securing its place on multiple bestseller lists … Continue reading EMPIRE OF THE VAMPIRES
The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt is a game that, on paper, shouldn't have achieved the level of success it did. It’s a sequel to a game that was exclusive to Xbox and PC, based on an obscure series of Polish fantasy novels. Yet, from the very moment I started playing, I was captivated. Even the … Continue reading Review: The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt
Zack Snyder's Rebel Moon saga, presented in two epic parts, attempts to combine the grandiosity of classic space operas with the gritty, mature themes of R-rated sci-fi. With director's cuts—Rebel Moon – Chapter One: Chalice of Blood and Rebel Moon – Chapter Two: The Scargiver—Snyder's vision is laid bare in its entirety, for better or … Continue reading Film Review: Rebel Moon – Part One: A Child of Fire and Rebel Moon – Part Two: The Scargiver (Director’s Cuts)
In space no one can eat Ice Cream Alien vs. Predator (AVP), directed by Paul W.S. Anderson and released in 2004, is often dismissed by fans of the Alien franchise as an abomination—a stain on the legacy of what many consider serious sci-fi. For me, however, AVP has always been a guilty pleasure—a fun, if … Continue reading ALIEN VERSUS PREDATOR
A short story by David Mclean Oh, poor old Stormy’s dead and gone. Storm along boys, Storm along Oh, poor old Stormy’s dead and gone. Ah-ha, come along, get along, Stormy along John. I dug his grave with a slider spade I lowered him down with a golden chain I carried him away to Mobile … Continue reading THE ARGOSY
Why everybody is wrong about this movie Ridley Scott's Alien: Covenant is the sixth installment in the Alien franchise and the direct sequel to Prometheus (2012). As a film that straddles the line between a science fiction epic and a horror masterpiece, it brings together the terrifying atmosphere of the original Alien (1979) with the … Continue reading Alien Covenant
I was seven when my dad introduced me to the film aliens. I knew nothing about the movie or the story and I was completely unprepared for what I was going to see. Two action fulled, horror tinged hours later I emerged from what was the most mind blowing cinematic experience of my life. I … Continue reading Alien Romulus
BLOOD AND IRON "House of the Dragon," the highly anticipated prequel to HBO's "Game of Thrones," has successfully launched its first season. Created by George R. R. Martin and Ryan Condal, this American fantasy drama series dives into the complex history of House Targaryen, setting the stage for the infamous Targaryen civil war, the "Dance … Continue reading HOUSE OF THE DRAGON
APOCALPYTO NOW "Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes" (2024) stands as a formidable entry in the venerable franchise, directed by Wes Ball and penned by Josh Friedman. This film serves as a standalone sequel to "War for the Planet of the Apes" (2017) and is the fourth installment in the rebooted series, marking the … Continue reading KINGDOM OF THE PLANET OF THE APES
THE BOOK OF THE NEW SUN The Shadow of the Torturer is a science fantasy novel by American writer Gene Wolfe, published by Simon & Schuster in May 1980. It is the first volume in The Book of the New Sun, a tetralogy which Wolfe had completed in draft before this novel was published. The … Continue reading SHADOW OF THE TORTURER
A Short Story By David McLean In those days, in those distant days, in those nights, in those remote nights, in those years, in those distant years; Inanna, an ethereal beauty, stood before the mirror, entranced by her own form. Her obsidian locks cascaded over her shoulders like a tempestuous sea, causing the very air … Continue reading AGE OF ANNUNAKI
Why everybody is wrong about Aquaman 2 One of the biggest surprises of 2018 was how much I enjoyed "Aquaman." With little to no prior knowledge of the character from DC Comics, I wasn't expecting much from James Wan, a director primarily known for his contributions to the horror genre. Yet, he delivered a fast-paced, … Continue reading Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom
The Unsung Masterpiece: The Children of Húrin J.R.R. Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings is arguably the most beloved and well-known fantasy series in the English language. Yet, it surprises me that The Children of Húrin doesn’t receive the same level of attention as The Hobbit or The Silmarillion, nor is it mentioned alongside other … Continue reading The Children of Húrin
Blade Runner and the Epic of Gilgamesh One of my earliest memories is watching "Blade Runner" for the first time. I had sneaked downstairs to watch it on TV while everyone else in the house was asleep. Captivated by the futuristic cityscapes, flying cars, and dark, foreboding atmosphere, I was spellbound by its timeless music … Continue reading MEMETO MORI : The Oldest Story Ever Told
Stranger Things Season 4, aptly marketed as Stranger Things 4, delivers an electrifying return to the haunting world of Hawkins. Released in two volumes on Netflix, the season spans nine episodes, with the first volume debuting on May 27, 2022, and the second on July 1, 2022. The Duffer Brothers, along with producers Shawn Levy, … Continue reading STRANGER THINGS SEASON :4
A short story by David McLean CHAPTER ONE The solitary starfighter darted across the inky expanse of the cosmos, hidden from the watchful eyes of her comrades. With a sleek, W-shaped form, she boasted stealth capabilities unmatched by any other craft. The stainless adamantium alloy of her surface gleamed like a mirror, reflecting the overwhelming … Continue reading VALKYRIES
Behold! The Sword of Power! Excalibur! Forged when the world was young, and bird and beast and flower were one with man, and death was but a dream! I vividly remember watching "Excalibur" for the first time and being completely awed by its stunning visuals and dream-like, almost surreal narrative. The best way to describe the … Continue reading EXCALIBUR : A Knights Tale
THEY SHALL NOT PASS! From the day I first watched Peter Jackson's "The Fellowship of the Ring," I, like many others, was instantly captivated by high fantasy and all things Tolkien. Over the years, I encountered a few brave souls who had read "The Lord of the Rings" before the films existed, and I found … Continue reading THE RINGS OF POWER
THE RIDDLE OF STEEL The secret of steel has always carried with it a mystery. You must learn its riddle, Conan. You must learn its discipline. For no one, no one in this world can you trust. Not men, not women, not beasts. This you can trust. - Conan's Father Certain films from my formative … Continue reading CONAN THE BARBARIAN
What great minds lie in the dust,” said Guyal in a low voice. “What gorgeous souls have vanished into the buried ages; what marvellous creatures are lost past the remotest memory … Nevermore will there be the like; now in the last fleeting moments, humanity festers rich as rotten fruit. Rather than master and overpower … Continue reading THE DYING EARTH JACK VANCE
WORLDS TO CONQUER Steven Erikson’s Gardens of the Moon offers an intricate tapestry of power plays and otherworldly forces that leave a lasting impression. As the first novel in the Malazan Book of the Fallen series, it sets the stage for an epic journey through a richly imagined world." Origins and Development Gardens of the … Continue reading GARDENS OF THE MOON
The Sleeper has awoken The long-awaited sequel, "Dune: Part Two," directed and produced by Denis Villeneuve, continues the epic saga of Frank Herbert's 1965 novel. Following the success of the first film, this second installment promises to delve deeper into the intricate world of Arrakis, focusing on Paul Atreides' alliance with the Fremen to wage … Continue reading Dune 2
Is this the best video game adaptation ever ? The anticipation for Amazon Prime Video's "Fallout" series has been immense, and as a fan of the original video game franchise, I was eager to see how this adaptation would bring the post-apocalyptic world to life. Created by Graham Wagner and Geneva Robertson-Dworet, and based on … Continue reading FALLOUT : WAR Never ends
"To feel alive, we seek sensation -- any sensation to wash away the cranky black sorrow! It leaves us for a moment, but then it comes back. And we have to do it all again. Only more, and each time, we ignore until too much is never enough. We are the already-dead, Little Dee! You … Continue reading Furiosa: Start Your Engines – A Mad Max Saga Review
THE BEST TV SHOW YOU NEVER HEARD OF The Shannara Chronicles is a visually stunning and narratively rich American fantasy drama that has captivated the hearts of many since its debut. Created by Alfred Gough and Miles Millar, this series breathes new life into Terry Brooks’ beloved Sword of Shannara trilogy, skillfully adapting its enchanting … Continue reading The Shannara Chronicles
I had my reservations with season one, which was a loose adaptation of the book series by Andrzej Sapkowski. Season one was all about the setup, introducing the audience to this fantasy world inspired by eastern European mythology and folklore. Its central characters and conflicts. They decided to Jump around the timeline of events and … Continue reading THE WITCHER : SEASON 2
There is nothing quite like getting lost in an open-world fantasy game. As technology evolves, games now are able to present highly detailed and interactive worlds for you to explore. But old does not mean irrelevant, and the following has tried to present a mix of great titles both past and present. I've selected games … Continue reading TEN FANTASY OPEN WORLDS TO GET LOST IN
The Eye of the World is a High fantasy novel by American writer Robert Jordan. It was published by Tor Books and released in 1990. The story revolves around five young central characters who flee their village after it is attacked by monsters called Trollocs led by an undead Myddraal. They are helped by a … Continue reading THE EYE OF THE WORLD : AN AMERICAN TALE
Skyrim is an action role-playing game developed by Bethesda and released in 2011. The game is set 200 years after the events of the previous game Oblivion and takes place in the northern province of Skyrim in Tamriel. The main story focuses on the Dragonborn’s quest to defeat an ancient dragon, Alduin the world-eater. The … Continue reading ELDER SCROLLS V : SKYRIM
The Sword of Shannara is a 1977 epic fantasy novel by Terry Brooks. The story interweaves two plots into the four lands fantasy realm. Shea Ohmsford sets out on a quest to find the titular sword and use it to confront the evil warlock Lord Brona. The other storyline shadows Prince Balinor Buckhannah’s attempt to … Continue reading SWORD OF SHANNARA : Terry Brooks
When I learned that Netflix was bringing back the animated show masters of the universe and that Kevin Smith, professional ‘fanboy’ and pop culture icon, was the series showrunner, I was hyped. Being one of many who grew up in the early eighties, I was a huge fan of the show. I had all the … Continue reading MASTERS OF THE UNIVERSE
"Bow down: I am the emperor of dreams;I crown me with the million-colored sunOf secret worlds incredible, and takeTheir trailing skies for vestment when I soar,Throned on the mounting zenith, and illumeThe spaceward-flown horizons infinite." It says a lot about this relatively obscure author that his contemporary H.P Lovecraft was so impressed by his work … Continue reading EMPEROR OF DREAMS : DARK EIDOLON AND OTHER FANTASIES
In the competitive world of fantasy video games. A series that often gets overlooked is the Darksiders games from Virgil studios. As a fan of the series I thought it would be fun to look back at the entries in the series and share why I think you should play these awesome games. Darksiders is … Continue reading WHY YOU NEED TO PLAY DARKSIDERS
With the success of Elden ring, I thought I would go back and look at the original Dark souls game released back in 2011. Dark Souls is an action role-playing game developed by Fromsoftware. It was a spiritual sequel to Demon Souls, which was a PlayStation exclusive. With this game, the souls series went multiplatform and took … Continue reading PRAISE THE SUN : LOOKING BACK AT THE LEGACY OF DARK SOULS
This classic film was produced by Charles H. Schneer, directed by Don Chaffey, and starring Todd Armstrong, while co-starring Nancy Kovack, Honor Blackman, and Gary Raymond. The film was produced by Charles H. Schneer, directed by Don Chaffey, and starring Todd Armstrong, while co-starring Nancy Kovack, Honor Blackman, and Gary Raymond. Although It was a … Continue reading JASON AND THE ARGONAUTS
Fantasy : Swords and Sorcery 